Hello, I’ve been in the free software cult for about a year now, and yet, I feel more lost than ever.

I have pretty much switched to all free software other than Whatsapp, which I only use to contact family and people that ignorantly don’t care.

I’m having troubles finding a mobile alternative to Signal, which I can talk to people with, but everything I’ve found is only available on computers.

I use my phone for communication, chess, searches, and navigation, so I’m tied to a device that actively spies on me, and unlike normies, I can’t ignore it.

Solution for all would simply be to just let them go, but I’m already in a shit-hole socially, so that’d just make things worse.

I’m still using a 5 year old lenovo thinkbook I got as a present, and I have plans of replacing it with something I can put GNU boot and use a functioning system with parabola on like a Lenovo Thinkpad T400, T500, X200, and X200T. However, I do mechatronics, so I’m going to have serious issues with CAD, compiling, and ethical machine learning, which I have to do for most projects. Even with a lightweight suckless dwm setup, it’s going to suck at everything.

That’s not even considering the security risks, which are especially bad considering I do activism on topics that are outright banned in countries that I live in / visit.

Have you experienced such a phase? I would really appreciate your advice on getting past this roadblock and finding a device to switch to both mobile and desktop for better privacy.

Edit: user asudox infromed me that matrix was available on mobile, so now I’m using a client called fluffy chat available on both andriod, IOS, web, and GNU+Linux systems which is great.

  • Samsuma@lemmy.ml
    3·
    5 hours ago

    have been through something similar. What helped for me is to try to figure out your threat profile first… Because jumping straight into total lockdown mode on everything and frantically uninstalling anything that so much has any ties with GAFAM not only doesn’t actually help, it can take a toll on your mental health…

    It’s also sometimes a good idea to “blend in” and have a few undesirable software (that don’t do tracking), just a thought.

    If that doesn’t help, and you’re sure that your threat profile is clear as day, there’s also the option of getting a secondary phone or laptop (if you can afford it) and install all the unwanted/non-FOSS software there.